Is it right next to oaks because hens grow from the roots of oak trees. Just from what im seeing im still not convinced its a hen. Ill have to look through my books when i get home and then i might be able to give you a better idea of what it could be.
Definitely not hen of the woods then they are always close to a tree ill check my books when i get home and try to figure it out.
No not staining, the more research I do the more it does look like hen but like jg said its far from the trees. There are two and I mowed over them both about three weeks ago when they were half their current size and they fruited again. There are no gills but pores yes. I plan to leave them undisturbed till I figure out what they are. They are growing in layers.
Meripilus sumstinei, and look at your third set of pictures. The underneath shows it's definitely staining, and with a little time it will be a dark gray or black. Young fruitings are a good edible. Some say better than the Hens.
K thanks, with these being close to a month old are they still going to be palatable? And any recommendations on preparation or preservation, with their current size, guessing 25-30 pounds total, I don’t see my family eating that in a week.
jparr, someone else will have to chime in. I've never dealt with these, just Hens. I would guess you you should preserve them the same.
I hate to inform you 2 but hen of the woods grows from tree roots not in an open field hear are some pictures for referance notice the trees within the view of the hens
With all due respect, you are full of it. I have been cutting sheepheads for for well over 50 years. Those are Grifola frondosa - maitake/hen-of-the-woods/ram's head/sheepheads. They are older than the fresh ones in the pictures above, that's all. While it is true that the vast majority are found at the base of old oaks, we have found them several yards away from trees and on isolated, buried(not visible) stumps. Bon appetit.
They are just getting started north of I-80. Friends/family have sent pictures of youngins from NW Indiana and spots near Chicago.
